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The Relative Minor Pentatonic Scale: 


The pentatonic scale a five-note scale that's used in a variety of musical styles, and it's especially popular in jazz and blues. One variation of the pentatonic scale that's worth exploring is the relative minor pentatonic scale.


The relative minor pentatonic scale has the same notes as the major pentatonic scale, but it starts on the sixth note of the scale. 


For example, if you're playing in the key of C major, the major pentatonic scale would be C, D, E, G, A. So the relative minor pentatonic scale would be A, C, D, E, and G. 


This scale is very close to the Blues scale, which would be the same note plus the #4 (D#). The two scales are so similar, they are interchangeable. Wherever you can play one, you can play the other. 


So using the relative minor blues scale is a great way to incorporate some nice bluesy sounding phrases when you are playing in a major key. 


Duke Ellington uses demonstrates this concept in his piano solo on this recording and it sounds great! Give it a try and see what kind of sounds you can create.

Using The Relative Minor Blues Scale

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